Side up when feeding same to packing machines



June 2, 1931. p, GQTTSCHALK 1,807,738

APPARATUS FOR TURNING CIGARETTES AND SIMILAR ROD SHAPED ARTICLES RIGHT SIDE UP WHEN FEEDING SAME TO PACKING MACHINES Original Filed July :5, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l 0i i0 K 05 i0 0 a O O 3 E Q Q )0) g n @HO) CZ INVENTORL June 2, 1931} P. GOTTSCHALK APPARATUS FOR TURNING CIGARETTES AND SIMILAR ROD SHAPED ARTICLES RIGHT SIDE UP WHEN FEEDING SANE TO PACKING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed July 5, 1929 mvsmoa: .222! zzamziz% Patented June 2, 1931 unrrrn STATES PATENT QFFICE CIGARETTE MA- CHINE COM 'PANY AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, 0F DRESDEN, GERMANY APPARATUS FOR TURNING CIGARETTES AND SIMILAR ROD-SHAPED ARTICLES RIGHT- SIDE UP WHEN FEEDING SAME TO PACKING MACHINES Original application filed July 5, 1929, Serial No. 376,067, and in Germany March 2, 1929. Divided and this application filed August 1, 1930. Serial No. 472,444.

This invention relates to an apparatus for turning cigarettes and similar rod-shaped articles right-side up when feeding same to a packing machine.

This invention is a division from Ser. No. 376,067 filed July 5th, 1929.

When feeding cigarettes to a packing machine it is desired that the top-most layer be arranged in such a way that the printed lettering upon the cigarettes is directed upwards. In order to turn such cigarettes, which lie in the wrong position on the cigarette conveyor, into the desired position it has already been proposed to use a finger, catch or similar. member co-operating with outer edge of the seam of the cigarettes lying in the wrong position, so as to impart to the cigarette an initial turning movement, whereupon the partly turned cigarette comes within reach of a second member or device,

which completes the turning operation.

N ow, the object of the present invention is to provide simplified means, by which the complete turning of the cigarettes is carried out in an efiective manner. A further object of the invention is to arrange the said means in such a way that they are adapted to lay flat the cigarettes passing beneath them, so as to prepare them for the engagement of the finger, catch or the like.

According to the invention one or more springs are arranged in such a manner that they are raised by the cigarette partly turned by the finger, catch or the like and prevent the cigarette from falling back with the result that during the ensuing relative move ment between the cigarette conveyor and the spring or springs the complete turning of the cigarette is efiected. Preferably the sprmg or springs are so arranged relative to the feed path of the cigarettes that in their normal position they are adapted to lay flat the cigarettes passing beneath them.

The appended drawings show by way of example a constructional form of an apparatus made in accordance with the invention.

Fig. l is a diagrammatic side-view of the apparatus,

Fi s. 2 to 5 are similar views showing the manner of operation of the apparatus and seen most clearly from Figs. 1 to 5,

representing various phases of the turning movement of the cigarette.

F ig. 6is a plan view of the parts shown in Figs. 2 to 5.

In the drawings a indicates the links of the conveying chain, on which the cigarettes (Z are fed to the packing machine. At the place, where the cigarettes lying in a wrong position on the conveyor are to be turned a bracket f is provided. This bracket prevents any undesired turning of the cigarettes or else turning them, as they pass beneath in such a manner that they lie fiat, whereby the seam lies either upwards or downwards.

As to be seen from Fig. 6 the bracket 7 consists of two side members, which are connected with each other by means of a transversal bar f The bar 7 carries two fingers,

catches or the like, which may be made in any of the usualway In the form represented each finger consists of a spring h fixed on the bar f by means of a screw 72, Further the bar 7 bears two leaf springs a connected to it by screws m as shown inFig. 6.

The leaf springs n whose form is to be project over the whole length of the fingers it; they are in the beginning bent obliquely downwards and then while in inoperative position lie substantially horizontal. In order to reinforce the action of the said springs a second spring 0 may be arranged above them as shown in Fig. 1 only.

The method of the operation is therefore as follows: I

Each cigarette lying in the wrong position, i. e. in the position, in which the seam is directed upwards and the lettering downwards, comes into Contact with the points of the fingers h. The cigarette is therefore turned by the fingers h engaging with the edge of the seam owing to the movement of the c0nveyor a (Figs. 2 and The springs 11 are raised by the turning cigarette and prevent the same from falling back as soon as the fingers it have come out of the engagement with the seam of the cigarette. During the further relative movement between the conveyor a and the springs 91 the complete X it turning of the cigarette is effected by the springs n.

The brackets f are so designed that at the same time they limit the downward movement of the finger it as shown in Fig. 5.

On the plan view in Fig. 6, the brackets f as well as the portion of the frame, have been on'litted for greater clearness.

Of course instead of the two springs at one or more than two springs can be provided, and suitably arranged lengthwise over the cigarette; in the same manner the number of fingers 72 is optional; likewise the particular design of the finger.

In the example of the invention represented, the springs a not only serve to turn the cigarette completely, but also to lay it flat before it reaches the fingers. For both these purposes, however, one may also adopt various devices, i. e. one or several springs which lie against the arriving cigarettes and lay them flat, and one or several additional sprin which only engage them in the manner described, after the flat-laid cigarettes have been partially turned by the finger.

aving now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. Apparatus for turning cigarettes and similar rod-shaped articles right-side up when packing same comprising in combination a conveyor feeding the cigarettes to a packing machine, a member adapted to engage with the seam of the cigarettes lying on the conveyor in the wrong position so as to impart to them a turning movement and a spring arranged in such a manner that it is raised by the cigarette partly turned by the said member and prevents the same from falling back with the. result that during the ensuing relative movement between the conveyor and the spring the complete turning of the cigarette is effected.

2. Apparatus for turning cigarettes and similar rod-shaped articles right-side up when packing same comprising in combination a conveyor feeding the cigarettes to a packing machine, a member adapted to engage with the seam of the cigarettes lying on the conveyor in the wrong position so as to impart to them a turning movement and a plurality of springs arranged in such a manner that they are raised by the cigarette partly turned by the said member and prevent the same from falling back with the result that during the ensuing relative movement between the conveyor and the springs the complee turning of the cigarette is effected.

3. Apparatus for turning cigarettes and similar 'od-shaped articles right-side up when packing same comprising in combination a conveyor feeding the cigarettes to a packing machine, a member adapted to engage with the seam of the cigarettes lying on the conveyor in the wrong position so as to impart to them a turning movement and a spring arranged in such a manner relative to the feed path of the cigarettes lying on the conveyor that the cigarettes are laid flat when passing beneath the said spring so as to be prepared for the engagement of the said member.

4. Apparatus for turning cigarettes and similar rod-shaped articles right-side up when packing same comprising in con'lbination a conveyor feeding the cigarettes to a packing machine, a member adaped to engage with the seam of the cigarettes lying on the conveyor in the wrong position so as to impart to them a turning movement and a plurality of springs arranged in such a manner relative to the feed path of the cigarettes lying on the conveyor, that the cigarettes are laid flat when passing beneath the said springs so as to be prepared for the engagement of the said member.

5. Apparatus for turning cigarettes and similar rod-shaped articles right-side up when packing same comprising in combination a conveyor feeding the cigarettes to a packing machine, a member adapted to engage with the seam of the cigarettes lying on the conveyor in the wrong position so as to impart to them a turning movement and at least one spring laying flat the cigarettes passing beneath them in its normal position and adapted to be raised by the. cigarettes partly turned by the said member, so as to prevent them from falling back with the re sult that during the ensuing relative movement between the conveyor and the spring the complete turning of the cigarette is offected.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

PAUL GOTTSCHALK. 

